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DRAMATIC COMPOSITIONS 

FOR JUVENILES 
BY ANTHONY J SCHINDLER 



A 
ROYAL 

RECEPTION 

Comedy! of Errors 

FOR MALE CHARACTERS 



Publisher 

A. J. SCHINDLER 
BLOOMFIBLD N. J. 



"A ROYAL RECEPTION" 



A COMKDY OF ERRORS 

IN TWO SCENES 

BY AXTHOXY J SCHINDLER 



PRICE FIFTY CENTS 

Right of Public Performance, 
{including 6 copies), Two Dollars, 



Published by 

A. J. SCHINDLER, 

179 Montgomery St., BLCOMFIELD. N. J. 



Copyright 1921 by A J ScKindler 



'♦A ROYAL RECEPTION" ^ 

A Comedy of Errors in Two Scenes-^ V^^^^V*^ 

CAST OF CHARACTERS -^^ 

Tubbs, inn-keeper Jumble, burgfomaster 

Buttons, porter Scribble, clerk 

Prince Ray, Lockhart, bailiff 

Lionel, valet Tatters, tailor 

Caspar, courier Pinch, cobbler 

Tripp, a pair of Squash, farmer 

Trapp, rogues Squint, postman 

SCENERY: Village Street, or country lane, with 

hottl to left, front. 
COSTUMES: As the characters suggest, witL 
appropriate make-up. 

SYNOPSIS OF PLAY 
Prince Ray, and his valet, are visiting, incognito 
the towns of his province. The wily burgomaster hears 
ot the prince's secret visit, and concludes that Tripp 
snd Trai,>p,two notorious characters who are stopping 
at Tubbs" inn, are the ro\'al guests in disguise. 

Elaborate preparations are being made for a royal 
reception when a despatch arrives, stating that the city 
bank has been entered and robbed. Tripp and Trapp, 
who are the fugitive burglars, overhearing the order 
for their apprehension, secretly flee from the town. 

In the mean time the zealous bailiff captures the 
supposed burglars, who turn out to be the real prii^ce 
and valet, much to the diftcrrrjfort of the pcpxihce. 



FEB -I 19 2 L 



•\.t 



/ 



A ROYAL RECEPTION. 

fecent Ont. 

[^Tkg scene represents a country lane, with hotel to 
left; villagers surround Matters, as cu7'tain rises^. 

TATTERS {excited) .In truth, my dear friends, you 
may believe me or not. Prince Ray is about to visit 
us, and as loyal .subjects we should welcome him. 

ALL. Aye, that we will. 

SCRIBBLE. Ho, ho! If the Prince proposes and elects 
to visit, he would inform the authorities. No such 
messng:i* was received by the burfjom aster. 

TAT. WeU, have it your own way, I know it's a fact. 

PINCH {taking snuff). Who knows? There are stran- 
ger things happen than a visit from a prince- achoo! 

TVB^S( from hotel). Well, well, what's the argument > 

PINCH. Why nothing^ \tsh -achoo, than a visit -achoo, 
to our city -achoo. from Prince Ray -achool 

ALL. God bless him, and you. 

TUBBS. And where did you get your information? 

TAT. Information? It's the truth. As you doubt me 
I will retire to stitch and patch, ipost-horn sounds^ 

TUBES {bustling about). The mail-coach, to be sure. 
We'll ftoon find out what there is in Tatters* story. 

TAT. That you will. My story will be verified. 

SQUINT {enters zvith mail-pouch) . Hail, my good 
people, well met. I bring you good news and cheer, 
I hope [hands letters^. Tuhhs, Squash, Scribble, 
and ray old friend Pinch, I declare. 



4 A HOYAt RECEPTION. 

SQUASH {reading}. "An early reply and prompt re- 
mittance will greatly oblige". Confound it, another 
one of those dunning letters [all laugk], 

SClKl)^. {reads). "Bald Eagle Restorer, a sure cure 
for hairless marble-tops" years letter^. The impu- 
dence, to insult m*, who has grown grey and hairless 
in the service, -r«^i head- as though I neitd it. 

AL,!,. No, indeed, it would be of little use, ha, ha! 

PINCH {reads).'' Do you think that I'm a rhinoceros 
or an elephant? The shoes you sent me are as much 
of a misfit as you are in the cobblers profession". 
Captain Dash.-j/V/ii-O dear, o dear, I'm ruined. 

AI4L, (laug/i).l\e\'C:v mind, you are still good on patches 

SQUINT. I have two letters for Tripp and Trapp. 

TUB. I have no such guests at my hotel. 

SQUINT. V/ell, you may keep them until called for. 

TUB, Good. Come with me for refreshments Idolkoff], 

PINCH. And now. Tatters, kindly inform me when 
your Prince arrives, that I can offer homage -off- . 

TAT. Very well, have your doubts. He who laughs 
last, laughs best, I'm off to my needle and thread-^#. 

SQUASH. And I to my plough-^v/-. 

SCRIB. There may be some truth in Tatters' remarks 
after all. I must inform the burgomaster -0//-. 

BUTTONS {^enters yawning) . O, shucks, what a life. 
Always on the go, with no time for eats or rest, and 
Tubbs ordering rac here, there and e very wl ere, as 
though I could be in a hundred places at cue time. 
Gee, it s getting on my nerves, it's time I quit and- 
{fib serves 'tripp and Trapp appearing with luggage- 
why, hello, who comes here? 



A ROYAL RECEPTION. 5 

TRIPP {to Buffans). Good morning, my friend. We 
are tourists. Can you direct us lo a gccd hotel? 

BUT. That I can, being as I am a fixture for such an 
establishment. Buttons is my name [dows^ , porter , 
waiter, butler, chef, cook, hostler, fireman and - 

TRAPP. Stop, stop, we are not census enumerators, 
JHst looking: for comfortable lod^in^s. 

BUT. Well, if that's the ca«e, the portals of "The 
Royal Arms" greet you. [takes ^-rtps] This way in. 

TRIP. Lead on, Macduff, we follow -all o^- . 

JUMBLE Lenters). My clerk tells me, that Prince Ray 
is about to visit us. "Tatters enters- Tell me, where 
did you get your information about this royal visit? 

TAT. I had a letter from my cousin, in which he states 
the prince was in his town, and is coming this way. 

JUM. Yet, I received no message to that effect. 

TAT. That's the strange part. He came unannounced. 

TUB. ifro7n hotel) Is Tatters telling: ycuof his visions? 

JUM. I'm loath to believe it. Had you any new guests? 

TUB. Yes, two just arrived, they are now dining. 

JUM. We must be cautious, and learn nore about them 

TUB. Here they come now. -"Tripp andTrapp enter- I 
hope that you were pleaed witli the meals. 

TRIP. We enjoyed the dinm-r, and the service is fine. 

TUD. Good. Permit me to introduce the Hon. burgo- 
master, -introducing- Mess. Tripp and Trap p. 

TRIP. Delighted to meet you. 

TRAP. You have a charming town, rather quiet, though 

JUM. Yes, at times. Just now, we are expecting a visit 
from our prince regent. 



^ A ^OYAL RBCEFTION. 

TRIP. That is certainly interesting, and if our time 
permits, we will stay over for the festivities. 

JUM. Ala*! we do not know when he is coming; he's 
traveiini^ in disguise » as it were. 

TRAP. Why that reminds me of the Arabian Nights> 
where the Caliph amused himself by visiting his sub- 
jects incognito, to better obseive their actions. 

JUM. That's it exactly. But you will excuse me, my 
dinner awaits me. I'll sec you later .-off with'^ alters. 

TRIP. And we'll stroll around to digest our dinner. 

TUB. The walk along the river bank is delightful. 

TRIP. Thank you, -fumble off- Well, thus far, we've 
eluded capture. I'ts lucky we had time to hide our 
swag and change our clothes, so as to appear at least 
like gentiemeii, not as the criminals that we are. 

TRAP U-au^hing). Ha, ha! I have an idea, realy it's too 
amusing. We'll impersonate the expectant visitors. 

TRIP. A clever idea, but will these hayseeds fall forit.^ 
TRAP. Through their own stupidity. Listen. You go 
back to the hotel and ask Tubbs to loan us some 
fishing-tackle, also his man, Buttons, for the after- 
noon. By addressing m\t occasionally as "Prince" in 
the pretence of Buttons, we'll have that worthy 
spreading the news that we are the royal visitors. 
TRIP. Capital idea. I'm off to make the arrangements. 
TRAP. Move along, I'll saunter down the road -off-, 
(^rlpp is about to enter hotel as Tubbs, 1l alters and 
'jumble come out. 

TUB. Why, hello, Mr. Tripp, back so soon? 

TRIP. Why no, we hav'nt started yet. Changed our 



minds to go fishing. Have you any fi.shing:-tackle? 

TUB. Why yes, I was going to sU2:gcst a fishing trip. 

TRIP. And could you spare Buttons for the afternoon.'* 

TUB. Why sure, the v.-holchou^e is at your disposal. 
{rushes Ojf stage shouting:; Hey, Buttorjj--, I say.) 

JUM. I should like to join you but business prevents. 

TRIP. So sorry to miss you, bui-heie ccm.es Tubbs. 

TUB (puffing^ ivith buttons and tackle). I did not wish 
to delay you. Here's the tackle, ard the seivant. 

TRIP. Thanks, but what became of tlie Prince (^t>rr<?r/- 
ing) - I mean Trapp - he's a princely fellow. I often 
call him that way. \_]u7nble atid 'Tubbs, 7iudging'\. 

BUT. I see him down the road. - both off-. 

TAT. Well, what do j^ou think of my visions now? 

JUM. You both heard Mr. Tripp ask for the Prince, 
then quickly correct himself? 

TAT. Yes, yes, we both heard it. 

JUM. And you also came to the sanut conclusion that 

they are the royal visitors. Wt must be cautious and 

I suggest Tatters follow them unobserved, and report 

any conversation he overhears as to their identity. 

TUB. A capital idea, our convictions will be ccnfhmcd 

TAT. Very good. I'll be off now so as not to lose 'em- 

JUM. Do so, and report thi> ev2niiio- at the hotel. I'ts 

seld m that I am outwittii, and le st of all, now. 
TUB, Royal gnests at my hotel? My p'ace will become 
famous throughout the land [all' off as curtain drops. '\ 

END O? SCENE ONE. 



S A ROYAL RKCHPTION. 

SCENE TWO. 

C Scenery same as first scene. Time, the next morn- 
iii^.. As curtain rises, villagers are putting up 
"Welcome" sig?is a?td decorations, fumble, "X^ubbs 
arid "Catters, forming gronp, conversing.'] 

JUM. Well, I think there is no longer any donbt that 
the Prince is resting comfortabxv in the hoti-:l. 

TAT. None whatever^ as Buttons and I have attested. 

TUB. Yes, their actions and remarks betrayed them. 

JUM. I, too, have no further doubts, so I set the vil- 
lagers to decorate the town for his reception. 

PINCH (comi'ig fowa?'d). We have finished our job, 
and it's asking- your honor, what's it all about? 

JUM. That is still a secret my good people. I proclaim 
this a hclid^N^ Go, don 5''our best dress, and report 
here in the square, in half an hour. 

ALL. Very well, your honor Xoff in different directions') 

JUM. I must give my people credit for the taste 
displayed in the decorations. ( Scribble and J^ockhart 
appear.) Ho, Scribble, you laggard, come hither. 

SCRIB. I have a despatch, -/^a;^^^^ same- and gatherin^- 
]\JM. (reading). Gathering fiddlesticks. [Tripp and 
Trapp enter unobserved, listening .~\ Listen to this. 
"The Bank at Rockville has been entered last night 
and robbsd of 5000 Pounds. A description of the 
burglars is enclo'-^ed, which please post about ^'Our 
town- A liberal reward for their arrest. Bradshaw, 
Inspector." (Tr/^j^ ajidTrapp start back nervously.) 



A ROYAL RHCKPTIOX. t 

Ncw what do you think of that? {to Scribble) Make 
copies of this circular at cncc, and post about town. 

SCRIE. Robbers, burglars? I'll attend to this -of-. 

JUM. As for you, Lockhart, keep ycui eye? peeled Gr.d 
it you catch the burglars, remeiiibtr, I get half the 
ri--ward for the iiiforniaticn. 

LOCK, {drawling). Quite right, just so. I'll get 'em, 
I'll get 'em, and if I get 'em I £ot 'em. {zvabbles of 
as^ripp andT^^app come forzvard.) 

TRIP. Good morning, sirs, you have adorned the 
town in gorgeous array. What's the occassion? 

JUM. {bowing.) Why my dear Prince, -I mean Mr. 
Tripp,- we are preparing for the Prince's itceptirn. ' 

TRAP. May we ask has he announced his coming? 

JUM. Not exactly, but we ere satisfied that he is here. 

TRIP. So I presume that you have Iccaud him? 

JUM. Ah, your excellency, -beg pardon.- gentlemen I 
mean, I am not oiten outwitted, no, not even by a 
Prince -bowing-. But you will excuse nie. I mustle 
oft to prepare my welcome speech. You are invited 
to the ceremonies in which you will no doubt take 
an active part \_off bowing. ~\ 

TUB. (bowing) And may it please your excellency, 
-beg pardon- I mean gentlemen of course, I'm about 
to prepare breakfast, and beg to be excused -off- . 

TRIP. There ren:ains no doubt that we are looked upon 
as the royal visitors, You could notice that by their 
courtccus treatment, and the way they addressed us. 

TRAP. Our iicheme has worl.ed v.ciideu.ully. We are 
of royal blood, and no longer criminals. 



A 3tOYAL RECEPTION. 



T>, 



lilt it is «:ettii!gtoo serious to be amusing^ any 
lonj^ar. With the officers on our track, let us be off. 

TRAP, To be. or not to be, aye, there's the rub. The 
alluremerits ot being a prince for a da3^ prompt me 
to stay. But as I see the bailiff approaching, it is 
more discreet that we forego that pleasure. 

TRIP, We can slip out unobserved during the feast. 

TRAP. It's tco bad to miss the royal reception. 

TPIP. What, a.nd get a hotter one? No, no. Let us be 
oil while tht^ walking i=^ <2:ood, and hie away to more 
congenial fields, (/o audieiics) Adieu, until we meet 
again, {^both off as hockhaji and Scribble enter?) 

LOCK, {dangling long chain. I'll get 'em, and when 
I got 'em I'll chain 'em {mopping broiv). 

SCRIB. (posts placard to hotel, hands one to \tockhari). 
Here's a description of the burglars. Read it. 

LOCK, (reads slowly.) Grey- eyes, red-hair, stubby - 
mouse-tache, a-qna, a-quadine—nose. Hey, Scribble, 
tell me, what is an a-qua-line nose? 

SCRIB. An aquaiine nose is an aqualine nose of course. 

LOCK. Why yes, that's so. Everybody knows that. 
But tell me, is my nose an aqualine nose? 

SCRIB. Your nose? Hm, I should judge that to be a 
blooming nose, made radiant by the mountain dew. 

LOCK. Yes, yes, but I'll get 'em, and clap these hand- 
cuffs on their feet. \.goes off slowly , with Scribble, 
dangling chain. Great commotion as villagers appear. 

PINCH {^passes snuffl. I tell 3^ou, great things are in 
store for us, that the Burgomaster gave us a holiday. 



A ROYAL RECEPTION. 11 

SQUASH. It's likely that Tatters' Prince arrived. 

TAT. Well, that being as it may, you'll soon find out 
what it's all about, for here comes the buigcnia.ster. 
{all stand at atteyition as fumble and Sc/ibble enter. ^ 

JUM. My dear people, I have great and joyous news 
for you. His ro\ al highness, Prince Ray has conde- 
scended to pay us a royal \isit, i::nd we are al out lo 
give him a royal reception in which you are inVited 
to join. It is for this purpose we are asi-embled. 

ALL (shotctin^) . That we will. Long live Piince Ray. 

PINCH. And long may he -achoo- reign, -achoo- in 
peace -ackoo- and prosperity -achoo! ! 

TUB. {enters with l^uttons) Your honor, I am happy 
to announce that the banquet is ready. 

BUT. Yes, the fatted calt is roasted to a turn, fcr the 
prodigals return, {Tripp and Trapp, with luggage, 
cautiously emerge fro7n hotel, pin note to door, make 
grimaces, and hastily depart.) 

J'JM. Well then, my good people, let the iestivities 
commence. Let us do honor and homage to our royal 
guests. You, Tubbs and Tatters, with Bnttons, es- 
cort the guests from the hotel, {they go off to hotel.) 
In the mean tunc I ask you all to observe decorum 
and manners, \confusion as l^ockhart appears, drag- 
ging Vrince and 'Lionel, chaijied to ankles, and loud- 
ly protestiyig.^ 

LOCK. Gangway, make way, please, gangway. 

PRINCE {_protesting\.'^\i2:i indignity is this? Remove 
these shackles at once. 



12 A ROVAL RECEPTION. 

LOCK, Can't do it. Your honor, the burg:lars. We go 
fifty-fitty, you know, r.s per our agreement. 

lAO^SELiindignant). Burglars? Who dares accuse us? 
We are resj eatable tcur.s^^ts and resect this outrage. 

j jM. We can al'ow no intr ision .If you are sure it's 
them, lock 'em up in tlie jail. 

LOCK. Sure? Why look at him -io Prince-, he's got a 
a-qiia-line nose, and him's -ia Liionfl- got red bair, 
jast as the prescription reads -shows paper -. 

PRIN. I b^ilieve I am addressing the burgomafiti^r. I 
tell yon, you're making- a serious blunder. We al- 
lowed 3'our bailiff to capt'^re us just for t. lark. 

LION, {aside to ]umble) The person addressing you is 
none other than the Prince in disguise. 

JUM. {langhs) Ha. ha! that's a clever ruse, it wont 
work. Tiie Prince is even now being escorted hith- 
er. Kere he comes. SjXubbs and Tatters rush on\. 

TUB. Your honor, the Prince has vanished. Searched 
the hotel from cellar to garret, and can't find him. 

JUM. Nonsencc, he mu£t be having a lark with us. 
Search along the read, he may be taking an airing. 

QSS^KV^ {enters, salut*sYrlnce\. An important mes- 
sage for his royal highness, Prince Ray. -hands it- 
But what means this outrage, thege shackles? 

PRIN. {smiling\ O, that's just a royal reception. 

JUM. {aside, tremblin<r. My goodness, it's the Prince. 

L<OCK. {moaning') I didn't get 'em, they got me, and 
here's where I go to jail lor disloyalty. 

JUM. {to \40ckhart) Remove those shackles instantly. 
'kneeling before prifice- , Pardon, your excellency^ 



pardon; a terrible mistake h?.s been made. Kncwing 
of your secret visit and not wishing to be cutwitied, 
%ve mistook in our eagt-rness two fctrangtrs, who ar- 
rived yesterday, for your august perM?ii, 

PPvINCE (.m^ny).}!^, ha, a case of mistaken identity. 

BUTTONS {rus/ies on stage). Pardon ivlq. I found this 
note, pinned to the door of the hotel. 

TVTB. (reads) "Mess. Tripp and Trapp wish to be ex- 
cused for their hasty deiarture, as they ha\<.: urgent 
business ekewhere.''(f« raje) Rascals, Fccundrtls, 
the vag-abonds. C, if 1 could crjy ]f.y ivy hf i;ds cn- 

PRINCE \int€ryupling\ The burjriarfc? Ves, yes,ycur 
guests were ncne other tban the real burglars. 

JUM. \_h?imbly'\ Alas, fo it appears. We have made a 
terrible blunder. In all hi^nulity we crave ycur rsr- 
don, and ask ycu to permit us to atone tor our rude- 
ness, by inviting you as our hor.crcd guest. The ar- 
ran,'jc:nents are com.pkted for a real royal reception. 

PRINCE. I accept your invitation, v\\ one condition. 

JUM. And thfct is, your excellency? 

PRINCE. That in the future ycu Ufe more discretion 
and moderation, anc not be swa3cdby blind cf!i- 
ciciousness and zealoufiness. 

JUMBLE. I prcn iFe. 2\A rcctpt 3 cur jujt rcbi l:e. 

ALE S^shouting']. All hail to Prince Ray, our beloved 
ruler, may God bless him. (D;y?/> Qurfain.) 



This play being duly copyrighted, the copying of 
of any part thereof is prohibited 



CHOICE PLAYS FOR 

SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENTS 

BY ANTHONY J. SCKINDLER 

FOR MALE CHARACTERS. 

The Birth of Freedom, pat riouc play .50 

A Royal Reception, amusing comedy .50 

The Bi'ii in the Forest, roinaritic o;>c-:. sctta .60 

Old Glory, patriotic operetta .60 

A Grain of Salt, musical comedy .75 

Herry-Makiug Minstrels, a minstrel show .75 

FOR FEMALE CHARACTERS 

The Gipsy's Dream, a gip«f frolic .50 

The May Queen, beautiful cantiita .60 

The Holy Night, christmts operetta .60 

The Gol 'en Slipper, charming operetta .75 

Little Mischief, operetta of school-days .75 

The Discontented Sisters, domestic ccmedy .20 

For God and our Countrj-, patriotic song^ -25 
ANNOUNCEMENT. 

The plays in this list are works of approved merit, 

andniiiet with emphatic success wherever produced. 

Remittance must accompany all orders. 

No plays exchanged or sent on approval. 

Remit by Postal Notes or Bank Draft. 

Poi:tas:e Stamps will not be accepted for payment. 



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